Some of the nightclubs you could have visited in Cov a decade ago

CAST your mind back to the end of the noughties and the start of the tens and Coventry’s nightlife was very different.

Nightclubs by their nature tend to come and go as fashions change and new crazes become the next big thing before fading away again.

They also form an indelible part of people’s memories and evoke huge feelings of nostalgia (even if one too many alcoholic beverages were consumed at the time).

Here are just a few of the clubs that were around in Coventry ten years ago - that are gone but not forgotten.

Some live on in a different form, proving that club locations are often reborn and become something entirely new.

It’s just a selection so if you have particular favourites worthy of mention email enda. mullen@reachplc.com and we can add them to our list.

Lava Ignite was one of the biggest nightclub names in the city ten years ago.

Located in the Skydome it was a club that came about through the renaming of its predecessor in the same venue Ikon and Diva.

Lava Ignite was born after a major upgrade of Ikon and Diva.

It was loved by dedicated devotees for its music and atmosphere and aimed to be a place where people could dance to the tunes of the moment.

Ikon and Diva actually offered two clubs in one venue and it was possible to move between the two in the Skydome.

Ikon and Diva dominated the city’s nightlife throughout the noughties.

Opening in 1999 the venue was immensely popular for many years, changing its name after a huge refurbishment in 2005 to Lava Ignite.

It regularly filled its 2,700 plus capacity and became known for its big club nights and then its Under-18 sessions.

In 2019 Ikon and Diva was revived and made a return to the city.

For one night only on August 25 an Ikon reunion event was held at Skydome nightclub JJ’s.

Lava and Ignite closed suddenly in 2013, following a review of operations by Luminar Leisure, which also ran other Skydome nightspots.

The Chicago Rock Cafe and Bonds closed before Lava and Ignite as part of the operational review.

Another Skydome nightspot, JJ’s, which hosted the Ikon and Diva reunion was formerly Jumpin’ Jacks.

It was a favourite for those who enjoyed some cheesy music.

The Chicago Rock Cafe in the Skydome was a laid back cafe by day and a party venue by night.

It was a particular favourite among nighttime revellers as it did cheap 99p drinks. As mentioned above it closed early in 2013 as part of an operational review by Luminar Leisure.

Another Skydome venue, Bonds closed around the same time as the Chicago Rock Cafe as part of a review by its owner Luminar Leisure.

Back before it was Kasbah and had its very

fancy outside area, The Colosseum - or Colly was one of the places to go in Coventry.

With its huge screen and balcony that ran above the perimeter of the dancefloor, The Colly much-loved and muchappreciated by Coventry punters.

And if you needed a sit down, you could try and grab yourself a seat on one of the sofas in the upstairs bar.

Se7en, situated in the Old Fire Station, hosted The Enemy’s 2012 comeback gig as the Coventry rock trio attempted to promote and showcase their third album Streets in the Sky.

The venue also played host to gigs from the likes of Reverend and the Makers.

The TinProbably lesser known among Coventry nighttime enthusiasts was the fact that every now and then you could enjoy a rave at the Tin at the Canal Basin.

The venue would welcome a Happy Hardcore, a drum ‘n’ bass DJ and plenty more besides to take their place behind the decks and spin out some tunes.